Stony Creek Dam #9 dam
Stony Creek Dam #9
Stony Creek Dam #9, also known as Lake Laura, is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Shenandoah, Virginia. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 80 feet and stretches 960 feet in length, creating a reservoir with a maximum storage capacity of 3417.5 acre-feet. The dam serves as a crucial component in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events, while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy.
Managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Stony Creek Dam #9 is subject to regular state inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's Hazard Potential is classified as high, but its Condition Assessment in 2019 was deemed satisfactory. With a drainage area of 7.34 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 30331.4 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Overall, Stony Creek Dam #9 stands as a testament to effective flood risk reduction efforts in Virginia. Its strategic location on Stony Creek, combined with its substantial storage capacity and structural design, makes it a key asset in safeguarding communities against potential flooding events. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to continue monitoring and supporting infrastructure projects like Stony Creek Dam #9 to ensure the resilience and sustainability of our water management systems in the face of changing climate patterns.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Stony Creek Dam #9 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N F Shenandoah River At Mount Jackson | 77 cfs | → |
| Smith Creek Near New Market | 27 cfs | → |
| N F Shenandoah River At Cootes Store | 15 cfs | → |
| Linville Creek At Broadway | 24 cfs | → |
| So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield | 25 cfs | → |
| S F Shenandoah River Near Luray | 329 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stony Creek Dam #9.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Stony Creek Dam #9
Where does the data for Stony Creek Dam #9 come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card below for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.